The Conservative Party leader Lorne Doerkson has promised to replace the provincial Crown corporation ICBC’s 2021-implemented no-fault insurance system, sparking discussion about the potential impact on premiums for drivers and those injured in crashes.
Doerkson’s letter, dated September 29, 2026, to representatives of the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Law Society of British Columbia, Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, and the Canadian Bar Association’s B.C. branch, commits a Conservative government to introducing legislation within its first year in office to restore the ability for individuals with serious injuries to seek compensation through the courts, should the party form government after the provincial general election on Saturday, October 24.
Over five years ago, the BC NDP-led provincial government introduced ICBC’s no-fault insurance system, known as “Enhanced Care.” This system shifted the focus from injury lawsuits to providing care and recovery benefits. ICBC reported that customers saved an average of approximately $490, or 28 percent, on full-coverage personal auto insurance upon their initial renewal under the new model.
Doerkson proposes a hybrid insurance system to replace the no-fault model, arguing it would balance affordable premiums with protection for individuals seriously injured by reckless drivers.
“Everything’s on the table, including opening auto insurance to private competition to drive down auto insurance rates and bringing back sensible limits on minor-injury claims,” Doerkson wrote. “One thing isn’t up for debate: people seriously hurt by reckless drivers deserve their day in an independent court, not just an online tribunal staffed by government appointees.”
The letter references Ontario, Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador as jurisdictions with hybrid models that B.C. could emulate. However, the letter does not provide a premium estimate or a detailed financial breakdown of the proposed changes. It should also be noted that the introduction of private competition is presented as a potential option rather than a firm commitment.
Doerkson stated that the legislation would be developed in consultation with ICBC, lawyers, insurers, healthcare providers, civil liberties organizations, groups advocating for injured individuals, and taxpayer representatives.
The letter also includes a separate commitment to repeal the BC NDP’s 2024 Legal Professions Act changes, which he contends interfere with the legal profession’s self-governance.
BC NDP and union assert the Conservative proposal would ‘line pockets’ of trial lawyers
MoveUP, a significant local union representing 5,000 ICBC workers, and the BC NDP asserted that the proposed overhaul would double auto insurance rates. The Conservatives refuted this prediction, accusing their opponents of using unsubstantiated figures to alarm drivers.
MoveUP accused the Conservatives of making a private commitment to the insurance industry and trial lawyers, arguing that reinstating more injury litigation would increase costs for motorists.
“British Columbians now have access to the most affordable auto insurance rates in the country, and Lorne Doerkson knows that people won’t support his plan because it would double rates,” stated Annette Toth, the president of MoveUP. “That’s why he made this promise privately and hasn’t disclosed it to British Columbians. His plan would line the pockets of the private insurance and trial lawyer industries by taking money right out of the pockets of British Columbians and leaving us all worse off.”
Speaking at an unrelated press conference, BC NDP leader David Eby reacted to the letter’s revelation, accusing Doerkson of privately agreeing to changes that would benefit trial lawyers at the expense of drivers. He argued that the proposal would undermine his BC NDP administration’s efforts to reduce insurance costs.
Eby stated that the previous system consumed billions of dollars in lengthy legal disputes that could have been allocated to assisting injured individuals with their recovery. He warned that families already facing financial strain could not afford a doubling of their insurance bills.
“For a leader of a major party in this province to enter into a secret deal with those lawyers to sell out British Columbians and not tell them the truth is disgraceful. My commitment to British Columbians is always to be straight with you, to always tell you how we’re going to pay for stuff and what our plan is,” said Premier Eby. “I am astonished how reckless and foolish and shameful this secret deal is. I hope that I can do my part in helping British Columbians understand what this secret deal would mean for their car insurance, because I know that they can’t afford it.”
While the BC NDP accuses Doerkson of secrecy, it is plausible that the Conservatives intended to publicly announce this platform position at a later date, given that the provincial election campaign is in its early stages and the deadline for Election BC’s candidate list was recently.
Farnworth says ICBC can improve no-fault system without returning to injury lawsuits
At a separate BC NDP media availability shortly after, dedicated to addressing the Conservatives’ insurance proposal, Port Coquitlam MLA candidate and B.C. Minister of Transportation Mike Farnworth also criticized the proposal, arguing that the Conservatives had made commitments to industry representatives without public disclosure to voters.
Farnworth was asked about families who feel ICBC’s current system provides insufficient compensation after fatal crashes or serious injuries, with some individuals falling through the system’s cracks.
For instance, in August 2026, Daily Hive Urbanized reported on Vancouver motorcycle rider Erica Sullivan’s frustrations with ICBC’s no-fault system following a crash that left her with a serious knee injury. Sullivan stated the driver admitted full responsibility, but her initial compensation offer was $3,800. Her damaged meniscus required removal, and she indicated a potential future need for a knee replacement.
Sullivan mentioned that the injury disrupted an active lifestyle that included skiing, mountain biking, and baseball. She argued that the compensation process did not adequately consider her circumstances and found it frustrating to seek a reassessment. She also criticized her inability to sue the driver for pain and suffering compensation under the model.
ICBC stated it had provided over $12,500 in additional medical, rehabilitation, and daily living support to Sullivan, including physiotherapy, massage therapy, and counselling. The insurer noted that permanent impairment compensation is governed by provincial regulations and committed to continuing support for her recovery. Sullivan’s claim remained open at the time, with the possibility of reassessment.
In response to such severe injury scenarios, Farnworth defended Enhanced Care, asserting that the previous system it replaced could result in individuals waiting years for court decisions, with legal fees consuming approximately one-third of their settlements. He argued that ongoing treatment under the current model could exceed the compensation available through a settlement tied to an at-fault driver’s insurance coverage.
“The Enhanced Care model ensures that you get the care you need or as long as you need it in terms of your recovery,” said Farnworth.
He added that improvements to the system are an ongoing effort and pointed to appeal processes for individuals dissatisfied with their coverage. When questioned whether a hybrid model could permit legal action after finding ICBC’s process inadequate, he reiterated his support for public insurance and his warning about increased premiums under the Conservative proposal.
The Conservatives disputed these claims in their own response, asserting that a provincial government led by their party would maintain affordable insurance while enhancing support for individuals seriously injured by reckless drivers. They accused the BC NDP and the union of fabricating alarming premium figures, arguing that the current system has failed individuals and families dealing with serious injuries.
MoveUP cited a 2022 Ernst & Young study comparing insurance prices for 30 different driver profiles across nine provinces. The study, commissioned by ICBC with support from public insurers in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, found that an 18-year-old male novice driver with a 2012 Honda Civic would face an average annual premium of $2,551 in sampled B.C. cities, compared to $5,936 in Alberta — a difference of $3,385. It is important to note that these 2022 figures represent that specific driver profile, rather than the average premium paid by all drivers in either province.
